100 signatures reached
To: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris
Sign the Petition: We need a fully functional FCC
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is tasked with ensuring that people across the country have access to affordable and reliable communications services. And over the past year and a half, we’ve seen just how important internet connectivity is and what happens when people lack it -- students can’t log on to their virtual classrooms, patients can’t access healthcare through telemedicine, and families are unable to meet their daily needs.
Right now, the FCC is deadlocked -- meaning little can be done to close the digital divide until the Biden Administration nominates, and the Senate confirms, a fifth and final commissioner. We urge the White House to seat a fifth commissioner as soon as possible, so communities and families everywhere can stay connected.
Why is this important?
During the pandemic, one thing became entirely clear: in our 21st-century democracy, We the People must have access to affordable Internet and phone services.
But as we move toward the second half of 2021, the FCC remains deadlocked with two Democrat commissioners and two Republican commissioners. With no nomination for the fifth and final commissioner -- the FCC is below full capacity, meaning the agency isn’t able to deliver open and reliable high-speed broadband to every home.
Frankly, this is unacceptable -- without a fifth commissioner, former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s legacy of decision-making that put profits over people and industry interest over the public interest remains in place. We can’t afford inaction and compromises when we are so heavily dependent on affordable, reliable Internet access.
Plus, this is all the more urgent given the fact low-income families and people of color are disproportionately disconnected from high-speed internet access, compounding grave inequalities that were only made worse during the pandemic.
Given the Senate’s legislative calendar and the diminishing number of days left for hearings and confirmation votes, we have reached a critical point to guarantee the FCC can do meaningful work during the Biden administration.
If we are to reach the goal of having a country where everyone -- no matter their address or size of their bank account -- has affordable access to high-speed internet, we need a fully functional FCC as soon as possible. Please add your name to demand that the White House take action now.